Former Area Nurse Busted For ‘Diverting Drugs For Personal Use’

Washington State health officials announced Wednesday (May 4th) that they have immediately suspended the license of registered nurse Gordon McSherry, who worked at Regional Hospital in Tukwila, on charges that he “diverted drugs for personal use.”

“The action by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission and the Washington State Department of Health means he cannot work as a registered nurse until the charges are resolved,” according to a statement.

The charges say McSherry diverted drugs from three different facilities in Washington between September 2010 and January 2011, including 97 instances of diversion in one facility. Criminal charges have been filed against McSherry in King County. The charges also say McSherry had criminal drug charges pending in Texas before his move to our state, which he didn’t disclose when he applied for a Washington license in March 2010.

McSherry has 20 days to respond to the charges and to ask for a hearing.

The nursing commission protects public health and safety in Washington. It licenses and disciplines nurses using standards of practice.